Track-based monsters from the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.
[Not a valid template]Most of the Frankfurt Motor Show is focused on new road cars, but in the battle to impress the world’s press and public, there’s no harm in chucking in some race cars to spice things up a bit more. Here’s a quick round up of some of the metal on show at the IAA.
Rally
It’s been two years since Volkswagen debuted the VW Polo WRC car at this very show, but that doesn’t mean it’s not welcome back. It’s not alone though – Hyundai also brought along its own WRC entry, the i20, which will take part in next year’s championship.
Hyundai’s European research and development centre, and its motorsport division, are just an hour away from Frankfurt, so it was virtually home turf for the Korean company. What better place then to show off its continued assault on the fast-fading image of Hyundai as a budget, low-quality car-maker?
Sports cars
Sports car racing is going from strength to strength around the world at the moment, and a mix of GTs and prototypes were on display at Frankfurt. Lamborghini showed off two of its Super Trofeo racers in support of the new race-inspired Gallardo also unveiled.
Not to be outdone, Mercedes brought along its Black Falcon SLS GT3 that triumphed at the 2013 Nürburgring 24 Hours, complete with muck and race damage.
Audi has been somewhat successful at a little race called the Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as the series of which it is a part, the World Endurance Championship. Makes sense then to fill the cavernous space in its purpose-built building with one of those winning R18 e-tron quattro LMP1 cars.
Nissan brought along the ZEOD RC (Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car), an electric racing car heavily influenced by the company’s involvement in the DeltaWing project. It’s due to race as the experimental entry at Le Mans next year and uses the same powertrain as the decidedly less racy Nissan LEAF electric hatchback.
